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MTV is once again stirring up controversy with the debut of their new show – Jersey Shore. The show, which follows a group of 20 something year old Italians as they live and work on the Garden State’s shoreline, has been criticized by some Italian American groups as being offensive and reinforcing stereotypes of Italian-Americans.

UNICONational — the “Largest Italian American Service Organization in the USA” — claims they “can’t keep up with the volume of calls” from “outraged” Italian Americans. They added that it should be pulled from the air. The backlash doesn’t end there, as advertisers – Domino’s and American Family Insurance have requested that their ads be pulled from the show.

MTVhowever continues to stand by the show. “We understand that this show is not intended for every audience and depicts just one aspect of youth culture,” MTV’s spokesman told Fox News on Tuesday. “Our intention was never to stereotype, discriminate or offend.”

The cast of Jersey Shore can be seen continuously referring to themselves as “Guidos” and “Guidettes” on the show. Both terms have long been found to be offensive to Italians.

One of the cast members, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, however defends the use of the term ‘Guido.’ “The older generation doesn’t understand. These days in New York and New Jersey a ‘guido’ is a good-looking Italian male that likes to have fun and a ‘guidette’ is a good-looking Italian girl,” Mike tells EW.com.

I actually saw the premier episode of this show and was a bit surprised to see the term “Guido,” be used so frequently by the cast. Always assumed the term was offensive. Other than that, the show pretty much fell in line with all the other MTV reality shows, such as the Real World. It was pretty much the same formula – follow a group of 20 something year olds as they get drunk, and make complete asses of themselves on national television. It’s likely the show is here to stay as it premiered to rather good ratings, the premier episode was seem by a total of 1.4 million viewers.

Audrina Patridge has evidently had a change of heart, and has officially signed on to return to the next season of The Hills. The 24 year old announced back in August that she would be leaving the show to pursue her own reality show.

UsWeekly is now reporting Audrina has agreed to come back after weeks of negotiations.

“I can officially confirm that Audrina Patridge will appear in the 6th season of The Hills,” Jennifer Shoucair Weaver, a rep for Audrina reveals. “Production will resume shortly after the new year. Next week, Patridge begins filming the pilot episode of her currently unnamed spinoff show, also for MTV . The new show will be produced by Mark Burnett.”

According to a source, Audrina will be “getting six figures per episode. It is an incredibly lucrative deal.”

Great news for The Hills and The City fans as MTV has now renewed The Hills for season six and The City for season three.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the new seasons of both shows will air sometime in 2010. Production on The City’s 3rd season will begin this week while The Hills’ 6th season will go into production in early January.

The finales of both shows aired this week, and EW was able to chat The series’ respective stars, Kristin Cavallari and Whitney Port, about their decisions to continue with the shows. “I’ve had the best time—I really have,” says Kristin . “I feel like I have the best job! Why not?!” Kristin also says she’s no longer worried about being pegged as a reality TV star. “It’s like I’m in it now,” she admits. “I might as well keep going!”

The upcoming season of The City will focus much more on Whitney’s attempt to succeed with her own fashion line. “That’s my reality,” says Whitney. “It’s where this collection is going to be sold, who we’re going to put it on, what magazines it’s going to be on.” We’ll also get a peak into Port’s social life and friendships. “Just Roxy and I exploring the city together a little bit more and learning who we are.”

Audrina Patridge will not be returning to the Hills’ new season as she will now begin filming her own upcoming solo reality show for MTV.

MTV has unveiled the cast for the latest season of their long running hit – The Real World. The Real World DC is set to premier Wednesday, December 30th at 10 PM ET/PT.

This season was filmed for 3 months as production began on July 2nd, with filming wrapping up on October 12th.

MTV released the following statement regarding the new cast and season -

With high hopes and expectations, eight new roommates come to our nation’s capital for the 23rd season of The Real World, each pursuing their own passions and goals whether it be music or photography, political cartooning, or campaigning for Human Rights — while enjoying DC’s exuberant and diverse nightlife. Swept up in the excitement of the new administration to serve and impact change, the roommates experience their own personal growth and life changes: a small town Texas girl realizes her dream; the jokester of the house has to get serious when it comes to love; a dysfunctional romance threatens to divide the house; and a young man learns that coming out is not only a personal choice but a political one as well.

Things are bound to heat up on tonight’s episode of The City, as the tension mounts between Olivia Palermo and her colleague, Elle’s PR Director Erin Kaplan, over wardrobe for a television shoot.

On tonight’s episode, we get to see the two women disagree on an assignment. Erin makes an executive decision to send some of the clothes picked out by Olivia back. “I know what the producers want,” she says. “I’ve done more than my share of segments for TV.” This leaves Olivia annoyed of course, who then confronts her colleague for speaking to her dismissively. “Erin,” she asks, “would you talk to [Creative Director] Joe in the tone that you talk to me?”

“You’re not Joe,” Erin fires back. “When are you creative director of the magazine?” The argument continues as Olivia demands respect, leading Erin to then send an assistant out of the room, as the two continue to argue.

On the other side of the city, over at People’s Revolution, we get to see Roxy Olin‘s attempt to help Whitney Port/ impress her boss Kelly Cutrone fall short.

Stephanie Pratthas pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor DUI charge in a Los Angeles court Friday and will enroll in a 30-day rehab residential facility.

The Hills star, 23, was arrested back in October in Hollywood after driving home from fellow castmate, Holly Montag‘sbirthday party. Her two breathalyzer tests registered .08 and .09 — the legal limit is .08. She was arrested and released on $5000 bail.

She recently told PEOPLE that the arrest “was the worst thing to happen to me and, at the same time, it was the biggest blessing” as a life lesson. If convicted, Stephanie faces up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

According to People, Kristin is now dating Tal Cooperman, who just happens to be another ex of fellow castmate, Audrina Patridge. Tal and Audrina dated last summer.

“It’s brand new. They’re having a lot of fun enjoying getting to know each other better,” says a source of Cavallari’s relationship with Tal. “It’s not for the show. They hit it off and have been hanging out off-camera.”

Kristin and Tal allegedly enjoyed a date night Thursday in Los Angeles, during which they were spotted sharing a sushi dinner at Nobu and kissing at West Hollywood hotspot Voyeur. “They were making out on one of the club’s VIP stages after midnight,” says a clubgoer. “They were all over each other.”

It’s probably best for the human race that these folks keep their stds germs amongst their circle, as they all seem to date the same people. I haven’t been watching the Hills that much this season, but I have become a fan of The City, which seems slightly less fake than the Hills. That Olivia is quite the character, and definitely makes the show interesting.

TELL US: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW SEASON OF THE HILLS AND THE CITY?